Breach of confidence in English law

Breach of confidence in English law is an equitable doctrine which allows a person to claim a remedy when their confidence has been breached. A duty of confidence arises when confidential information comes to the knowledge of a person in circumstances in which it would be unfair if it were disclosed to others. Breach of confidence gives rise to a civil claim. The Human Rights Act 1998 has developed the law on breach of confidence so that it now applies to private bodies as well as public ones.

English courts will recognise a breach of confidence if the following three things are present:

The law commission (1981). Breach of confidence (PDF). Her Majesty's stationery office. 

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